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1925. NEW ZEALAND
DESPATCHES FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES TO THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF NEW ZEALAND.
Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.
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No. of Date. Subject. Page. Series. 1923. 1 Nov. 26 Irish cattle trade .. .. . . .. .. .. .. . . .. 2 2 Dec. 7 Imperial Bureau of Mycology .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 3 3 „ 7 Oversea Settlement Delegation to New Zealand .. .. .. . . . . 4 4 „ 31 Claims in respect of property in Turkey .. .. .. .. .. .. 4 5 „ 31 Status of Tangier .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 5 6 „ 31 Aerial Navigation Convention .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 7 1924. 7 Jan. 1 International Postal Congress .. .. . . .. .. .. .. 8 8 „ 8 War damage in Turkey .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 8 9 „ 10 Liquidation of ex-enemy businesses .. .. .. .. .. .. ., lo 10 Feb. 12 Relations with Russia .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 10 11 „ 28 Arbitration Convention with the United States .. .. .. .. .. 11 12 Mar. .19 Imperial Mycological Conference .. . . .. .. .. .. .. 12 13 „ 19 International Seed-testing Congress .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 13 14 April 2 Collected laws of the Dominions for University College . . .. .. .. .. 13 15 „ 22 Establishment of Forestry Institute at Oxford .. .. .. .. .. 14 16 „ 28 Flag discrimination : Resolution adopted by the Imperial Economic Conference .. .. 16 17 May 12 Imperial Shipping Committee . . .. .. .. .. .. .. 17 18 „ 28 New Zealand History of the War .. .. .. .. .. .. . . 17 19 June 23 Oversea Settlement within the Empire .. .. .. .. .. .. 18 20 July 9 British Oversea Settlement Delegation to .New Zealand .. .. .. .. .. 18 21 „ 16 Importation of food into England and Wales .. . . .. .. . . .. 19 22 „ 23 International Congress on Oil-production .... .. .. .. .. 19 23 „ 23 Dental treatment of school-children .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 20 24 „ 26 International Labour Conference : Laws and regulations for the protection of workers . . 20 25 Oct. 21 Imperial Institute Bill .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 21 26 „ 22 Position of His Majesty's Government in regard to Egypt and the Sudan .. .. .. 21 27 „ 24 Convention of International Regime of Railways and Maritime Ports .. .. .. 23 28 „ 24 Conventions on International Regime of Railways and Maritime Ports .. .. .. 23 29 „ 27 Imperial Botanical Conference .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 23 30 „ 29 International Customs Tariff Bureau, Withdrawal of New Zealand from .. .. .. 24 31 „ 29 Proceedings of the Geodetic and Geophysical Congress .. .. .. .. .. 24 32 Nov. 6 Constitution of the Irish Boundary Commission .. .. .. .. .. 25 33 „ 6 Imperial Mycological Conference .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 26 34 ,, 11 Payment of pensions to Imperial pensioners resident in the Dominion .. .. .. 28
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No. 1. New Zealand, Dominions No. 442. My Lord, — Downing Street, 26th November, 1923. With reference to my despatch, Dominions No. 417, of the 14th November, T have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, copies of the Imported Animals Order of 1923, dated the 16th November, and of a notice relating to the resumption of Irish cattle trade, issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries on the 16th November. I have, &c., DEVONSHIRE. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. Viscount Jellicoe, G.C.8., 0.M., G.0.V.0., &c.
Enclosure. Imported Animals Order of 1923. The Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, by virtue and in exercise of the powers vested in him under the Diseases of Animals Acts, 1894 to 1922, and of every other power enabling him in this behalf, hereby orders as follows :— Alteration of Regulations an to Movement oj Imported Animals from Approved Landing-places. 1. The regulations as to movement of imported cattle contained in the Schedule to the Importation of Animals Act, 1922 (session 2), and the provisions of Part IV of the Animals (Landing from Ireland, Channel Islands, and Isle of Man) Order of 1923, and the provisions of Part V of the Importation of Canadian Cattle Order of 1923, are hereby altered and modified in manner prescribed by this Order. Premises to which Movement may be authorized. 2. No license shall be granted authorizing the movement of imported cattle, sheep, or goats out of an approved landing-place to a market, but only to premises (including a slaughterhouse) other than a market. Detention of Animals. 3. (1.) Animals moved from an approved landing-place to a slaughterhouse shall be there detained until they are slaughtered. (2.) Animals moved from an approved landing-place to premises other than a slaughterhouse shall, on arriving at those premises, be detained therein, unless previously slaughtered therein, for a period of fourteen days from the date of their arrival thereat, and such period shall be substituted for the period of six days specified in the regulations and provisions hereby altered and modified. During the said period of detention the animals shall not be moved from the said premises otherwise than under a further license to be granted by a local Inspector. (3.) Animals may, if so authorized and accompanied by any such license, be moved after the expiration of six days from the date of their arrival— (1.) To a slaughterhoiise, to be there detained until they are slaughtered ; or (2.) To any other premises (other than a market), to be there detained for the remainder of the said period of fourteen days, which period shall be stated in the license; or (3.) To a vessel for export. 4. If the place of destination to be stated in such further license is situate in the district of another local authority, the license shall not be granted unless the consent of that local authority to the movement of the animals into their district has been previously obtained. Disinfection of Railway-trucks and Railway Loading-banks. 4. (1.) A railway-truck or other railway-vehicle used for the conveyance of any animals from an approved landing-place shall, immediately before any such animal is placed in it, be thoroughly sprayed with liquid disinfectant under the supervision and to the satisfaction of the Inspector of the Ministry at the landing-place. (2.) A railway loading-bank or loading-dock used for the loading of imported animals at an approved landing-place for conveyance therefrom shall, when required by an Inspector of the Ministry at the landing-place, be thoroughly sprayed with liquid disinfectant. (3.) The liquid disinfectant to be used for the purposes of this article shall be — (a.) A 1-per-cent. (minimum) solution of chloride of lime containing not less than 30 per cent, of available chlorine; or (b.) A 5-per-cent. (minimum) solution of carbolic acid (containing not less than 95 per cent. of actual carbolic acid) ; or (c.) A disinfectant equal in disinfective efficiency to the above-mentioned solution of carbolic acid.
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(4.) Nothing in this article shall interfere with the operation of the provisions of the Animals (Transit and General) Order of 1912 as to the cleansing and disinfection of railway-trucks and other railway-vehicles used for the conveyance of animals on a railway. (5.) If anything is omitted to be done in contravention of this article the railway company loading the animals or owning the loading-banks in respect of which, as the case may be, the same is omitted to be done shall be deemed guilty of an offence against the Diseases of Animals Act, 1894. Revocation. 5. The Animals (Prohibition of Landing from Ireland) Order of 1923 is hereby revoked. Removal of Restrictions on Landing of Animals at the Port of Heysham. 6. Notwithstanding the provisions of article 5 (/) of the Yorkshire and Lancashire (Foot-and-mouth Disease) Order of 1923 (No. 4), animals may be landed at the approved landing-place at Heysham. Commencement. 7. This Order shall come into operation on the nineteenth day of November, nineteen hundred and twenty-three. Short Title. 8. This Order may be cited as the Imported Animals Order of 1923. In witness whereof the official seal of the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries is hereunto affixed, this sixteenth day of November, nineteen hundred and twenty-three. [L.S.] J. Jackson, Authorized by the Minister. Resumption of leish Cattle Trade. Inquiries in connection with the recent cases of foot-and-mouth disease in Irish animals in Great Britain having satisfied the Ministry of Agriculture that infection was not brought from Ireland, the Ministry has to-day made an Order permitting the resumption of the Irish cattle trade as from Monday, the 19th instant. Whilst the present serious situation as regards foot-and-mouth disease in Great Britain continues, however, the Ministry considers it undesirable that the normal course of the trade in imported animals through markets in Great Britain should be continued. The new Order will, therefore, require all imported animals (whether Irish or Canadian) to be moved from the landing-places either to premises on which they must be detained for fourteen days or to a slaughterhouse. Provision is made in the Order whereby after six of the fourteen days have elapsed the animals may be moved by a further license to other premises, not being a market, for completion of the fourteen days' detention. Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, 4 Whitehall Place, London S.W. 1, 16th November, 1923.
No. 2. New Zealand, No. 251. My Lord, — Downing Street, 7th December, 1923. With reference to my despatch, No. 153, of the 19th July, on the subject of the Imperial Mycological Conference which is to be held in this country in July, 1924, under the auspices of the Imperial Bureau of Mycology, I have the honour to inform Your Excellency that I have been asked by the Managing Committee of the Bureau to request you to bring to the notice of your Ministers the present position in regard to the finances of the Bureau. 2. The period of three years for which Dominion and Colonial Governments generally undertook to contribute to the Bureau expires this year, and it was originally intended to circulate a fresh appeal at once for contributions for a further triennial or quinquennial period. The Managing Committee have, however, proposed that advantage should be taken of the presence of Dominion and colonial representatives at the Mycological Conference next year to discuss then the future policy and requirements of the Bureau, and that the amounts which the respective Dominions and colonies should be invited to contribute for the next triennial or quinquennial period should be determined at the Conference. 3. It is estimated that owing to the cost of issuing the Review of Applied Mycology, which, it is understood, has already proved very valuable to Dominion and colonial workers, the present income of the Bureau will not do more than
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barely cover its requirements for the year 1924-25, and the Managing Committee have requested that the contributing Dominions and colonies should be invited to continue their existing contributions for one more year pending the discussion of the future policy of the Bureau at the Conference to be held next year. 4. In this connection I would state that the independent Committee which I recently appointed to investigate the position of the Imperial Institute was asked to consider, inter alia, whether there was any case for amalgamating with the Imperial Institute the Imperial Bureaux of Entomology and Mycology. The following is an extract from the Committee's report dealing with this point :— "We have found, however, no overlapping between the Imperial Institute and the Imperial Bureau of Entomology and the Imperial Bureau of Mycology . . . Both of these Bureaux are carrying on successfully work of a highly specialized character, and in view of their present close association in the one case with the Natural History Museum and the Entomological Society, and in the other with Kew Gardens, we do not think that there would be any advantage to be derived from their incorporation in, or amalgamation with, any other central institution such as the Imperial Institute." The Imperial Economic Conference, to which the Committee's report was circulated for consideration, endorsed the conclusions reached by the Committee. 5. In these circumstances I have no hesitation in inviting the continued assistance of your Government to the Imperial Bureau of Mycology, and I hope that your Government will see its way to accede to the request of the Managing Committee and to continue its present contribution to the Bureau for the financial year 1924-25 pending a decision being reached as to the future policy and requirements of the Bureau as a result of the Conference. 6. I should be glad if you would be good enough to reply to this despatch by telegraph. T have, &c., DEVONSHIRE. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. Viscount Jellicoe, G.C.8.; 0.M., G.C.V.0., &c.
No. 3. New Zealand, No. 252. My Lord, — Downing Street, 7th December, 1923. I have the honour to inform Your Excellency that I have heard, with much gratification, of the generous assistance and hospitality extended to Sir William Windham and the members of the British Oversea Settlement Delegation during their visit to New Zealand. The liberal transport and other facilities afforded to the Delegation were of great assistance in enabling them to carry out their important mission in the time at their disposal. I have, &c., DEVONSHIRE. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. Viscount Jellicoe, G.C.8., 0.M., G.C.V.0., &c.
No. 4. New Zealand, Dominions No. 481. My Lord,— Downing Street, 31st December, 1923. With reference to my despatch, Dominions No. 358, of the 25th September, I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, copies of an extract from the Board of Trade Journal of the 13th December, setting out the position with regard to claims in respect of property in Turkey. I have, &c., DEVONSHIRE. Governor-General His Excellency the Right. Hon. Viscount Jellicoe, G.C.8., 0.M., G.C.V.0., &c.
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Enclosure. Claims in respect of Property in Turkey. The position in regard to Allied and other property in territory remaining Turkish which requires to be restored or liquidated in connection with the Treaty of Lausanne or Turkish domestic law is as follows :— 1. Articles 65, 66, and 70 of the Treaty of Lausanne deal with property, rights, and interests which belonged at the date of the signature of the treaty (24th July, 1923) to persons who on 29th October, 1914, were Allied nationals. These are to be restored, subject to the provision that if they have been liquidated before 24th July, 1923, the proceeds of the liquidation can be paid to the owner in discharge of the obligation to restore. All disputes in regard to the restoration or liquidation of such property have to be submitted to a Mixed Arbitral Tribunal, to be established under Articles 92-98 of the treaty. These provisions do not come into force until the treaty itself comes into force, and claims in respect of them must be lodged with the competent Turkish authorities within six months, or, if necessary, with the Mixed Arbitral Tribunal within twelve months, of the date of the coming into force of the treaty. Meanwhile, it is understood that in cases where, through a misapplication of the law on abandoned property, British property has been seized, the Turkish Government is prepared to consider, through the medium of the Commissions referred to in paragraph 2 (below) and as under the Turkish law relating to abandoned property, applications by Allied nationals in respect of property coming within the provisions of Articles 65, 66, and 70 of the treaty. These applications must be supported by documentary proof, and the claimant, or his agent, who must be provided with a power of attorney (legalized by a Turkish Consular representative), must select a domicile in the town where the Commission sits and where services of all kinds can be effected on him. 2. The Turkish laws in regard to abandoned property ending with that of 15th April, 1923, in terms apply generally to the movable and immovable property and debts and credits of those who in any manner whatsoever absent themselves or depart or escape to foreign and occupied territories or to Constantinople and its dependencies. These laws establish Liquidation Commissions for each district to liquidate the property, credits, and debts left by the persons referred to above. The procedure for claimants to the property is as indicated in paragraph 1. 3. It is also laid down in Turkish regulations of October, 1915, that the Liquidation Commissions will admit claims for recovery of debts owed by the owners of the abandoned property, and claims upon the goods abandoned by them. It is specifically provided in Article 12 that a claimant in respect of debts owing by the owners in question must present to the President of the Commission an application, to which he should join the documentary proof relating to it, as well as a power of attorney (legalized by a Turkish Consular representative) in a case in which the claim is presented by an intermediary. The application must show the profession of the debtor, his legal domicile before his flight, and the origin of the debt. The claimant must also give his own address. It is essential that the application should, as in the case of those referred to in paragraph 1, be presented to the Commission by the claimant in person or by his duly authorized representative. 4. As regards the time within which claims in respect of abandoned property have to be made, the law of 15th April, 1923, lays down that claims to abandoned property, or to debts due from the owners of abandoned property, situated in districts where on 15th April last a Liquidation Commission had already been formed should, in the case of claimants not resident in Turkey, have been presented to the Commission before 15th October, 1923. Where the property is situated in districts in which a Commission is appointed subsequently to 15th April, 1923, such claims must be presented within six months of the date of this appointment. It is understood, however, that the Commissions are still accepting claims. 5. All applications as regards claims in respect of property dealt with above should be made to the Liquidation Commission for the district (Caza) in which the property is situated ; they must, as already indicated, be made either in person or through a duly authorized representative, not by correspondence. 6. The Exchange of Greek and Turkish Populations Convention of 30th January, 1923, provides for the liquidation of the property of Turkish nationals of the Greek Orthodox Religion who leave Turkey in accordance with the provisions of the Convention, or who are considered as being included in the exchange of population. This liquidation is to be carried out by a Mixed Commission, which has yet to be set up in accordance with the provisions of Article 11 of the Convention. There does not appear to be any provision whereby debts owing by an " exchanged " person can be made the subject of a claim against the property in question, but all disputes relating to such property are to be settled definitely by the Mixed Commission. 7. Foreigners other than Allies may have protection under other treaties. Turkish nationals, other than those regarded as " exchanged," who have fled from Asia Minor would have no protection from the Treaty of Lausanne, except such as may be derived from the section of the treaty which deals with the protection of minorities.
No. 5. New Zealand, Dominions No. 483. My Lord,— Downing Street, 3]st December, 1923. I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, the accompanying copy of a statement which has been issued to the Press, relative to the new Convention dealing with the status of Tangier. I have, &c., DEVONSHIRE. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. Viscount Jellicoe, G.C.8., 0.M., G.C.V.0., &c.
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Enclosure. His Majesty's Government have insisted for many years past that Tangier, as one of the principal gateways into Africa and the East, should be permanently neutralized and placed under an international regime giving equality of commercial opportunity for all nations. In all the Moorish treaties since 1904 which His Majesty's Government have signed or to which they have adhered it is laid down that a special regime should be established at Tangier. After the signature of the Franco-Moorish Protectorate Treaty and the Franco-Spanish Agreement in 1912 negotiations for the establishment of this special regime at Tangier were begun between the British, French, and Spanish Governments. After prolonged negotiations a statute providing for a genuinely international regime at Tangier was drawn up by the three negotiators. The British and French Governments were prepared to sign the statute in the summer of 1914, but the outbreak of war relegated the whole question into the background. After the war a solution of the Tangier question was delayed owing to difficulty in finding an acceptable basis for the resumption of negotiations under the changed conditions which followed the signature of the Treaty of Versailles. This difficulty was removed at a preliminary meeting of French, Spanish, and British experts in London last October, and was immediately followed by the Conference which has just been successfully concluded in Paris. The following are the main provisions of the new Convention :— The permanent neutrality of the Tangier zone is assured in the most categorical and comprehensive terms. Economic equality between the Powers shall continue to be observed at Tangier, even if existing commercial treaties with Morocco are denounced. No international treaty concluded in the future by the Sultan of Morocco shall apply to Tangier without the consent of the International Assembly. The establishment of an International Administration at Tangier naturally involves the suppression of the capitulations. Those Natives who have been accorded foreign protection will be justiciable before the European Mixed Courts and not the Native Courts. All Shereefian property in the Tangier zone will be handed over to the International Administration. An exception is made in the case of the Sultan's palace and of three buildings destined to house the Sultan's representative and his offices. Moroccan francs and Spanish pesetas continue to be legal tender in Tangier. The Sultan will be represented at Tangier by a " Mendoub," who will be entrusted with the administration of the Natives. In order to avoid the possibility of political agitation or the residence of undesirables at Tangier the Mendoub has the power of expulsion. He may, however, only expel a European on the demand of the latter's Consul or of the mixed tribunal. The Mendoub is responsible for the collection of taxes from the Natives, and failure to do so is a contravention of the statute. The Government of Tangier, except in so far as the administration of the Natives is concerned, will be in the hands of a Committee of Control and an International Legislative Assembly. The Committee of Control will consist of the eight Consular Officers of the Powers signatory of the Act of Algeciras. It will be their duty to ensure the observance of the Tangier statute and to veto any legislation which violates it. The International Assembly will consist of twenty-six members. Of the European members, four will be French, four Spanish, and three British, other signatories of the Act of Algeciras being also represented. The Assembly will have complete legislative authority over the Native and European population. The Native population will be represented in the Assembly by six Musulmans and three Jews, one of each of whom will be nominated by the Spanish Consul. It will thus be impossible for Native members to control the Assembly either alone or in conjunction with the representatives of any other one Power. The Mendoub will be ex officio President of the Assembly, and will be assisted by three Vice-Presidents of French, British, and Spanish nationality. The International Assembly will nominate all administrative officers. For an initial period of six years the Administrator, and his two assistants, will, however, be nominated by the three Governments. In view of the preponderance of French interests and trade, and of the necessity of close co-operation with the French zone during the transition .period, it has been decided that the Administrator should be French. His two assistants will be British and Spanish, the former in charge of financial matters, the latter in charge of hygiene and public works. The Commander of the Gendarmerie will be a Belgian, assisted by French and Spanish officers and N.C.O.s. The Customs and Shereefian Government lands at Tangier are at present in the hands of the " Controle de la Dette," who represent the French holders of the Moorish loans of 1904 and 1910. This body will disappear, as such, under the new regime. The Shereefian Government have, however, guaranteed the interest payable by Tangier on the 1904 and 1910 loans, the Tangier-Fez Railway bonds, and the Tangier Harbour bonds —a total of over 4,000,000 francs a year. The Customs are the chief source of Tangier's revenue, and if they are inefficiently administered Tangier must default and the Shereefian Government would have to pay. It has therefore seemed fair to arrange that the head of the Customs will be nominated by the Shereefian Government. The Customs service will, however, be under the close control of the International Administration : its accounts will be submitted for the approval of the Assembly. The Committee of Control may also by a three-quarters majority vote demand the dismissal of the head of the Customs. The Government lands will come under the International Administration. The Shereefian Government will hand over to the International Administration all rights acquired under the concession granted in 1921 by the Sultan to the Societe Internationale pour le developpement de Tanger. A Committee appointed under the authority of the Committee of Control will ensure economic equality in the working of the port. Both the actual plans and the port concession itself have been largely modified in accordance with British suggestions. The management and working of the port will be genuinely international, and there can be no fear of unfair discrimination.
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The Convention is concluded for a period of twelve years. It will continue, however, to remain i n force indefinitely, unless and until the three Contracting Parties agree to revise it. As soon as the Convention has been signed by the three Contracting Parties the latter will approach the other signatories of the Act of Algeciras and invite them to adhere to the new Convention. An important section of the Convention is devoted to the complete neutralization of the Tangier zone. The construction of fortifications and all other preparations for war are categorically forbidden. The acceptance of the Convention by the other signatory Powers of the Act of Algeciras will mean that Italy and the other signatories will share with. France, Spain, and Great Britain both the administration of the zone and the maintenance of its neutrality.
No. 6. New Zealand, Dominions Treaty No. 50. My Lord, — Downing Street, 31st December, 1923. I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, to be laid before your Ministers, a copy of a letter from the International Commission for Air Navigation regarding an application by His Majesty's Government for a derogation from Article 5 of the Aerial Navigation Convention of 1919. 2. It will be recollected that provision for the grant of derogations from this article was made in the additional Protocol to the Convention, which appears on pages 3-5 of parliamentary paper Cmd. 1741 —Treaty Series No. 11 (1922) —of which copies were enclosed in my predecessor's despatch, Dominions No. 315, of the 29th August, 1922. A declaration was inserted in the Proces Verbal of the Deposit of Ratifications of the Convention and the Additional Protocol (pages 5-7 of the same parliamentary paper) to the effect that until it might be possible to grant the derogations provided in the Additional Protocol the Governments concerned might postpone the application of the provisions of Article 5 of the Convention, as regards the signatory States which had not yet deposited their ratifications, as well as Spain, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, and Netherlands, Denmark, Finland, Esthonia, Latvia, and Monaco. As stated in my predecessor's despatch, Dominions, Treaty, No. 44, of the 20th September, 1922, it was at first considered inopportune to institute steps for the purpose of obtaining the grant of specific derogations under the Additional Protocol, and a formal notification was made to the French Government, for communication to the International Commission and to the other Contracting States, of the intention of His Majesty's Government to postpone the application of the provisions of Article 5 in respect of the States referred to in the declaration inserted in the Proces Verbal of the Deposit of Ratifications. As however, an application for a derogation has since been made by the French Government (vide my telegram of the 14th April) it has been thought well for His Majesty's Government to make a similar application, and the result of the application is shown in the enclosed letter. 3. It will be observed that the list of States specified in the application is the same as that covered by the notification to the French Government mentioned in the preceding paragraph, and it is presumed that your Ministers would agree to a reply being sent to the International Commission, to the effect that they accept the derogation. 4. I shall be glad if a reply to this despatch can be returned by telegraph. I have, &c., DEVONSHIRE. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. Viscount Jellicoe, G.C.8., 0.M., G.C.V.0., &c.
Enclosure. Paris, le 13th December, 1923, Sir, —- 20 Avenue Kleber. In accordance with the provisions of the Additional Protocol to the Convention dated in Paris the Ist May, 1920, the British Government has made, in the name of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, an application for a derogation from Article 5 in respect of the States signatory to the Air Convention of the 13th October, 1919, which have not yet ratified it, as well as of Spain, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Holland, Finland, Esthonia, Latvia, and Monaco. This application for a derogation was examined in October last by the International Commission for Air Navigation, which approved same, the duration thereof being fixed at six months, but the derogation granted will not take effect until after having been expressly accepted by all the Contracting States.
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I have the honour, in consequence thereof and in accordance with the said Additional Protocol, to propose such application for a derogation for acceptance by the Governments of the Dominions and of India, and to request that you will be so good as to notify me, as soon as possible, of the decisions they make in regard thereto. I have, &c., Albert Roper, The Secretary, Air Ministry, London. General Secretary.
No. 7. New Zealand, Dominions No. 1. My Lord,- — Downing Street, Ist January, 1924. With reference to my despatch, Dominions No. 145, of the 12th April, 1920, and connected correspondence, I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, to be laid before your Ministers, a copy of a note from the Swedish Minister regarding the holding of an International Postal Congress at Stockholm in June, 1924. I have, &c., DEVONSHIRE. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. Viscount Jellicoe, G.C.8., 0.M., G.C.V.0., &c.
Enclosure. No. 183. Swedish Legation in London, My Lord Marquess,—• 27 Portland Place, W 1, 10th December, 1923. The Congress of the " Union Postale Universelle " held in Madrid in 1920, having resolved that the next Congress should assemble in Stockholm, the Royal Swedish Government have decided to invite the members of the said union to a Congress which is to meet in Stockholm the 4th June next. Acting upon instructions received, I have consequently the honour to invite His Britannic Majesty's Government to send as delegates to the said Congress representatives of—(1) Great Britain ; (2) the Indian Empire ; (3) Canada ; (4) Australia and British Guinea ; (5) the Irish Free State ; (6) the South African Union ; (7) the other British Dominions, colonies, and protectorates. At the same time I have been instructed to draw the attention of His Britannic Majesty's Government to the importance of the delegates being provided with full power, not only to take part in the debates at the Congress, but also to vote and to sign any postal conventions, arrangements, or regulations which may be brought on the agenda of the Congress. Finally, I beg leave to ask Your Lordship to inform me, at your earliest convenience, of the names and numbers of the delegates who may be appointed to represent the British Empire at the said Congress. I have, &c., The Most Hon. the Marquess Curzon of Kedleston, K.G., &c. Palmstierna.
No. 8. New Zealand, Dominions No. 6. My Lord, — Downing Street, Bth January, 1924. With reference to my despatch, Dominions No. 471, of the 15th December, I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, copies of an extract from the Board of Trade Journal of the 27th December, containing the text of a Convention relative to the assessment and reparation of damage suffered in Turkey, which was signed at Paris on the 23rd November, 1923. 2. Copies of the final text of the Convention have not yet been received, but they will be forwarded in due course. I have, &c., DEVONSHIRE. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. Viscount Jellicoe, G.C.8., 0.M., G.C.V.0., &c.
Enclosure. War Damage in Turkey. Convention of Assessment and Reparation. 1. A Convention relative to the assessment and reparation of damage suffered in Turkey by the nationals of the Contracting Powers was signed at Paris on 23rd November on behalf of the British Empire, France, Italy, and Japan. Roumania is entitled to accede to the Convention so long as the
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Treaty of Lausanne has not come into force. The Serb-Groat-Slovene State did not sign the Treaty of Lausanne ; if that State signs the Treaty of Lausanne in accordance with the Protocol of 24th July, 1923 (see Command Paper 1929, page 227), it will also be entitled to accede to the Convention so long as the Treaty of Lausanne has not come into force. The Convention will come into force at the samo time as the Treaty of Lausanne. 2. The Convention provides that the following sums shall be constituted as a joint fund to be used for the reparation of the damage suffered by the nationals of the Contracting Powers : —- (i.) The sums in gold referred to in Article 58 of the Treaty of Lausanne.* (ii.) The 5-per-cent. Treasury bills, 1911, of the nominal value of £846,100 which the British Government has agreed to contribute to the Reparation Pund.f 3. The above fund will be administered by a Commission (to be named the Assessment Commission), which will be set up within one month after the coming into force of the treaty with Turkey, to assess the damages suffered by the nationals of the Contracting Powers, as defined below. This Commission will consist of three members named by the Governments of France, Great Britain, and Italy respectively. In cases where the damage concerns the nationals of another Contracting Government there will be added to the Commission for the assessment of this damage an additional member nominated by the said Government. 4. The claims of the parties concerned must be put forward within one year from the coming into force of the Treaty of Lausanne. 5. The Commission will assess and compensate, on the terms provided for by the Convention, the damage defined below : —• (a.) Direct damage (other than that referred to in paragraph 6 below) suffered on territory which was Ottoman on Ist August, 1914, or at sea by the nationals of the Contracting Powers, in respect of their persons or their property, between Ist August, 1914, and the coming into force of the treaty with Turkey, as the result of any act or negligence of the Turkish Government, including damage resulting from measures of requisition, sequestration, or confiscation, and also direct damage suffered on the same territory by such nationals between the dates named as the result of any acts of war (faits de guerre), whatever party may have been the author of such acts. (b.) Direct damage caused by the fire of Smyrna to the rights and property of the nationals of the Contracting Powers. The Commission will be empowered to deduct from the compensation granted on this account the sums obtained by the claimant from other sources. The Com mission will also be empowered to reject claims in cases where it considers that the claimant has not taken all reasonable steps to obtain compensation to which he would have been entitled from other sources. (c.) Damage referred to in (a) and (b) above suffered by persons protected by the Contracting Powers in cases where the patent of protection is of a date prior to Ist August, 1914. (d.) The damage referred to in (a) and (b) above suffered on territory remaining Turkish at the date of the coming into force of the Treaty of Lausanne by Ottoman companies in which the nationals of the Contracting Powers had a preponderating interest on Ist August, 1914. The Commission will take account of the advantages of an economic character granted to such companies by the Turkish Government on account of the damage suffered by them. The value of such advantages will be assessed in cash, and the amount will be deducted from the amount to which the companies would be entitled in accordance with the Convention. In no case will the total amount of the compensation to be paid to these companies exceed the nominal value of the Treasury bills referred to in paragraph 2 above. 6. The Commission will not deal with or grant compensation in respect of the following categories of damage: — (a.) Indirect damage, including deprivation of the use of property and loss of profits. (b.) Claims relating to amounts payable by the Hellenic Government in accordance with the Convention of 24th July, 1923, on the subject of the payment of debts resulting from the acts of the Hellenic authorities in Turkey. J (c.) The claims of concessionary companies on account of the utilization by the Turkish Government of their property or of their services which are to be settled by the Turkish Government in accordance with the Protocol relating to certain concessions granted in the Ottoman Empire of 24th July, 1923, and the declaration annexed thereto,§ or in accordance with arrangements made between the Turkish Government and such companies. 7. The Commission will distribute the Reparation Fund to the parties concerned in proportion to the damage suffered by them. The awards granted by the Commission will be paid to the parties concerned through the Allied Governments whose nationals they are.
* The passage referred to is the following : " Turkey renounces in favour of the other Contracting Parties (except Greece) any right in the sums of gold'transferred by Germany and Austria under Article 259 (1) of the Treaty of Peace of 28th June, 1919, with Germany, and under Article 210 (1) of the Treaty of Peace of 10th September, 1919, with Austria." (Command Paper 1929, page 49.) The sums amount to about £T5,000,000 gold. f These Treasury bills are Turkish Government Treasury bills which the British Treasury purchased from the holders in 1914. { See Command Paper 1929, p. 239, § 1 b, pp. 203-21'.
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No. 9. New Zealand, No. 14. My Lord,- — Downing Street, 10th January, 1924. With reference to Your Excellency's despatch, No. 194, of the 21st July, 1923, regarding the agreement with Belgium on the subject of the liquidation of ex-enemy businesses, I have the honour to request you to inform your Ministers that it is the understanding of the British and Belgian Governments that the agreement is already applicable to British subjects wherever resident. Accordingly no special agreement is necessary in order to give effect to the decision notified in your despatch under reference. I have, &c., DEVONSHIRE. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. Viscount Jellicoe, G.C.8., 0.M., G.C.V.0., &c.
No. 10. New Zealand, Dominions No. 55. My Lord, — Downing Street, 12th February, 1924. . With reference to my telegram of the 9th February, I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, copies of notes exchanged with the Russian Government regarding relations with Russia. I have, &c., J. H. THOMAS. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. Viscount Jellicoe, G.C.8., 0.M., G.C.V.0., &c.
Enclosure. Note communicated to the Russian Government by Mb. Hodgson. Ist February, 1924:. I have the honour, by direction of my Government, to inform Your Excellency that they recognize the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics as the de jure rulers of those territories of the old Russian Empire which acknowledge their authority. 2. In order, however, to create the normal conditions of complete friendly relations and full commercial intercourse it will be necessary to conclude definite practical agreements on a variety of matters ; some of which have no direct connection with the question of recognition, some of which, on the other hand, are intimately bound up with the fact of recognition. 3. In the latter category may be cited the question of existing treaties. His Majesty's Government are advised that the recognition of the Soviet Government of Russia will, according to the accepted principles of international law, automatically bring into force all the treaties concluded between the two countries previous to the Russian Revolution, except where these have been denounced or have otherwise juridically lapsed. It is obviously to the advantage of both countries that the position in regard to these treaties should be regularized simultaneously with recognition. 4. Technically unconnected with recognition, but clearly of the untmost importance, are the problems of the settlement of existing claims by the Government and nationals of one party against the other, and the restoration of Russia's credit. 5. It is also manifest that genuinely friendly relations cannot be said to be completely established so long as either party has reason to suspect the other of carrying on propaganda against its interests and directed to the overthrow of its institutions. 6. In these circumstances His Majesty's Government invite the Russian Government to send over to London, at the earliest possible date, representatives armed with full powers to discuss these matters, and to draw up the preliminary bases of a complete treaty to settle all questions outstanding between the two countries. 7. In the meantime I have been given the status of Charge d'Affaires pending the appointment of an Ambassador; and lam to state that His Majesty's Government will be glad similarly to receive a Russian Charge d'Affaires representing the Government of the Union at the Court of St. James. Circulated to the Cabinet. Monsieur C. Rakovsky to Mr. Mac Donald, Bth February, 1924. Sir, —• I have the honour, on behalf of the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, to inform Your Excellency that my Government has taken cognizance with satisfaction of the contents of the British Note of February 1, 1924, in which the British Government recognizes de jure the
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Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, whose authority extends throughout all the territories of the former Russian Empire, with the exception of those which have been severed with the consent of the Soviet Government and in which independent States have been constituted. 2. Expressing the will of the Second Congress of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics which proclaimed that friendly co-operation between the peoples of Great Britain and the Soviet Union remained one of the first cares of the Government of the Union, the latter declares its readiness to discuss and settle in a friendly spirit all questions arising directly or indirectly out of the fact of recognition. 3. Consequently my Government is prepared to arrive at an understanding with the British Government to replace those former treaties which have either been denounced or have lost their juridical force as a result of events during or after the war. 4. Eor this purpose the Government of the Soviet Union is prepared to send to London in the immediate future representatives with full powers whose tasks will also include the settlement of outstanding claims and obligations of one party against the other, as well as the determination of means for the restoration of Russia's credit in Great Britain. .5. My Government, in full accord with the views of the Government of Great Britain, considers that mutual confidence and non-interference in internal affairs remain indispensable conditions for the strengthening and development of friendly relations between the two countries. 6. My Government has learned with pleasure of the appointment of Mr. Hodgson as British Charge d'Affaires in Moscow, and has instructed me to inform Your Excellency that, pending the appointment of an Ambassador, I have been given the status of Charge d'Affaires of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics at the Court of St. James. I take this opportunity of conveying to Your Excellency the assurances of my most distinguished consideration. C. Rakovsky.
No. 11. New Zealand, Dominions No. 84. My Lord, — Downing Street, 28th February, 1924. With reference to my Dominions No. 36, of the 28th January, I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, copies of a Treaty Series paper, No. 8 of 1924 (Cmd. 2044), containing an agreement between the United Kingdom and the United States of America for the renewal of the Arbitration Convention between the two countries of 4th April, 1908, together with notes exchanged at the time of signature at Washington, on the 23rd June, 1923. I have, &c., J. H. THOMAS. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. Viscount Jellicoe, G.C.8., 0.M., G.C.V.0., &c.
Enclosure. Agreement between the United Kingdom and the United States of America for the Renewal of the Arbitration Convention between the Two Countries of 4th April, 1908, together with Notes exchanged at the Time of Signature. Signed at Washington, 23rd June, 1923. Ratifications exchanged at Washington, 29th December, 1923. His Majesty the King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of the British Dominions beyond the Seas, Emperor of India, and the President of the United States of America, being desirous of extending for another five years the period during which the Arbitration Convention concluded between them on the 4th April, 1908, extended by the agreement concluded between the two Governments on the 31st May, 1913, and further extended by the agreement concluded between the two Governments on the 3rd June, 1918, shall remain in force, have respectively authorized the undersigned—to wit, Sir Auckland Geddes, G.C.M.G., K.C.8., His Britannic Majesty's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the United States, and Charles Evans Hughes, Secretary of State of the United States —to conclude the following articles : — Article 1. The Convention of Arbitration of the 4th April, 1908, between the Government of His Majesty the King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of the British Dominions beyond the Seas, Emperor of India, and the Government of the United States of America, the duration of which bv Article 4 thereof was fixed at a period of five years from the date of the exchange of ratifications of the said Convention on the 4th June, 1908, which period by the agreement of the 31st May, 1913, between the two Governments was extended for five years from the 4th June, 1913, and was extended by the agreement between them of the 3rd June, 1918, for the further period of five years from the 4th June, 1918, is hereby extended and continued in force for the further period of five years from the 4th June, 1923.
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Article 2. The present agreement shall be ratified by His Britannic Majesty and by the President of the United States of America, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate thereof, and it shall become effective upon the date of the exchange of ratifications, which shall take place at Washington as soon as possible. Done in duplicate, this 23rd day of June, 1923. [l.s.] A. C. Geddes. [l.s.] Chari.es Evans Hughes. British Embassy, Washington, D.G., 23rd June, 1923. The Hon. Charles E. Hughes, Secretary of State of the United States, Washington, D.C. Sir, — I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your note of to-day's date in which you were so good as to inform me, in connection with the renewal of the Arbitration Convention of the 4th April, 1908, between Great Britain and the United States, that the President of the United States had proposed to the Senate the adherence of the United States, under certain conditions, to the Protocol of the 16th December, 1920, creating the Permanent Court of International Justice at The Hague, and that if the Senate assents to this proposal you understand that His Britannic Majesty's Government would be prepared to consider the conclusion of an agreement providing for the reference to the Permanent Court of International Justice of disputes mentioned in the Convention. Under instructions from His Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, I have the honour to confirm your understanding of His Majesty's Government's attitude on this point, and to state that if the Senate approve the President's proposal His Majesty's Government will be prepared to consider with the United States Government the conclusion of an agreement for the reference to the Permanent Court of International Justice of disputes mentioned in the Arbitration Convention. I have, &c., A. Geddes. Department of State, Washington, 23rd June, 1923. The Right Hon. Sir Auckland Geddes, G.C.MG., K.C.8., Ambassador of Great Britain. Excellency,— In connection with the signing to-day of an agreement for the renewal of the Convention of Arbitration concluded between the United States and Great Britain, the 4th April, 1908, and renewed from time to time, I have the honour, in pursuance of our informal conversations, to state the following understanding which I shall be glad to have you confirm on behalf of your Government:— On the 24th February last the President proposed to the Senate that it consent under certain stated conditions to the adhesion by the United States to the Protocol of the 16th December, 1920, under which the Permanent Court of International Justice has been created at The Hague. As the Senate does not convene in its regular session until December next, action upon this proposal will necessarily be delayed. In the event that the Senate gives its assent to the proposal, I understand that the British Government will not be averse to considering a modification of the Convention of Arbitration which we are renewing, or the making of a separate agreement, providing for the reference of disputes mentioned in the Convention to the Permanent Court of International Justice. Accept, &c., Charles E. Hughes:
No. 12. New Zealand, Dominions No. 130. My Lord, — Downing Street, 19th March, 1924. With reference to my predecessor's despatch of the 7th December, 1923, No. 251, and to previous correspondence on the subject of the Imperial Mycological Conference to be held in this country in July next, I have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform your Ministers that arrangements have now been made for the Conference to be held at the Imperial College of Science and Technology, South Kensington, from Wednesday, the 2nd July, to Saturday, the sth Julv. The Imperial Botanical Conference (see my predecessor's despatch, Dominions No. 315, of the 17th August, 1923, and connected correspondence), which is to be held in the same buildings, will open on Monday, the 7th July, and members of the Mycological Conference will thus be free to join in the discussions and activities of the Botanical Conference.
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2. The provisional list of agenda for the Mycological Conference is as follows : — (1.) Activities and organization of the Imperial Bureau of Mycology. (2.) Publications of the Bureau. (3.) Co-ordination of investigations of fungicides. (4.) Plant-disease surveys in the British Empire. (5.) Standardization of popular and scientific nomenclature in plant pathology. ((5.) Encouragement of industrial enterprise in the investigation of plantdiseases. The Managing Committee of the Bureau have expressed a wish to be furnished with any suggestions which interested Governments may desire to make with regard to the provisional agenda, and I should be glad to receive as soon as possible any observations which your Ministers may wish to offer. I have, &c., J. H. THOMAS. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. Viscount Jellicoe, G.C.8., 0.M., G.C.V.0., &c.
No. 13. New Zealand, No. 56. My Lord,— Downing Street, 19th March, 1924. With reference to Your Excellency's despatch, No. 173, of the 2nd July, 1923, on the subject of the International Seed-testing Congress to be held in this country in July next, I have the honour to request you to inform your Ministers that the Organizing Committee which has been appointed by the Minister of Agriculture is anxious to get into direct communication as soon as possible with the several delegates with regard to accommodation and other matters. I should be glad, therefore, if 1 could be informed at as early a date as possible whether the New Zealand Government intends to appoint delegates to attend the Congress, and, if so, to learn their names and addresses. 2. It would be convenient if a reply could be sent by telegraph. I have, &c., J. H. THOMAS. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. Viscount Jellicoe, G.C.8., 0.M., G.C.V.0., &c.
No. 14. New Zealand, Dominions No. 153. My Lord, — Downing Street, 2nd April, 1924. I have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform your Ministers that the Committee of University College, University of London, have inquired whether it would be possible for them to be supplied, for the College Law Library, with the volumes containing the collected laws of the self-governing Dominions. 2. The College has had a Chair of Constitutional Law since 1832, and at the time of the appointment of Professor J. H. Morgan, the present occupant of that chair, it was made a part of his duties to lecture on the constitutional laws of the British Empire. I understand that this part of the Professor's duties is being greatly strengthened, and that arrangements are being made which will constitute this aspect of his work as a permanent part of the duty of the Professor of Constitutional Law. 3. Should your Ministers be prepared to consider the Committee's request, the most convenient arrangement would appear to be that the volumes of statutes, both past and future, should be forwarded direct to the Librarian, University College, Gower Street, London W.C. I. I have, &c., J. H. THOMAS. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. Viscount Jellicoe, G.C.8., 0.M., G.C.V.0., &c.
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No. 15. New Zealand, Dominions No. 189. My Lord,— Downing Street, 22nd April, 1924. With reference to my despatch, Dominions No. 112, of the 12th March, regarding the resolution of the Imperial Economic Conference on the subject of forestry, and to previous correspondence relative to the establishment of a forestry training institution in this country, I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, to be laid before your Ministers, copies of a preliminary notice which has been prepared regarding the Forestry Institute now being established at Oxford. 2. It is thought that the facilities for the training of forest officers which the Institute will provide may prove to be of use generally, and it is hoped in particular that the opportunities afforded for interchange of information between officers from different countries may be of value to all concerned. 3. In the circumstances, His Majesty's Government trust that the Dominion and State Governments may find it possible to support the scheme by deputing officers to attend the Institute on the terms set out in paragraphs 5 and 6 of the enclosed notice. 4. A similar despatch has been sent to the officers administering the Governments of the Australian States. I have, &c., J. H. THOMAS.* Governor-General His Excellency the Eight Hon. Viscount Jellicoe, G.C.8., 0.M., G.C.Y.0., &c.
Enclosure. Forestry Institute at Oxford. —Preliminary Notice, April, 1924. Constitution. 1. Origin. —The British Empire Forestry Conference (London, 1920) recommended the establishment in the United Kingdom of one institution which should undertake the higher training of forest officers, and should also be a|centre for research work into the formation, tending, and protection of forests. (Resolution of the British Empire Forestry Conference, 1920, Command Paper 8.65). An was thereupon appointed to prepare a scheme for giving effect to this resolution. The'report of this Committee, issued in 1921 (Command Paper 1166), recommended the establishment at Oxford of a central institution for the higher training of forest officers, for training in research, for the provision of special and " refresher " courses for selected officers already serving, and for the conduct of research into forest-production. The Committee's recommendations were strongly supported by the second British Empire Forestry Conference (Canada, 1923), and were subsequently endorsed by the Imperial Economic Conference held in London the same year. 2. Present Status. —Arrangements are now well advanced for starting an institute on these lines at Oxford in October, 1924. As regards finance, the Forestry Commission and the Colonial Office are proposing jointly to guarantee a sum sufficient to cover the working-expenses over a period of five years. The Commission have already secured the necessary Treasury sanction for their share, and the Colonial Office proposals are at present before the Governments of the non-self-governing colonies and protectorates concerned. The general administration and finance of the Institute will be controlled by a Board composed of an equal number of representatives of the University and of the two Government Departments concerned, and a Provisional Board, consisting of the ViceChancellor, the President of Magdalen, Professors Troup and Adams on the one side, and Lord Clinton (Chairman), Mr. R. L. Robinson, Major Furse, and Lieut.-Colonel G. L. Courthope on the other, has been set up. The Institute will be under the charge of a Director, for which appointment Professor Troup has been selected by the Provisional Board. Work of the Institute. 3. The Institute will perform the functions described in paragraph lin two ways: By giving direct instruction at Oxford through its own staff, and by arranging suitable courses of study in other places. A combination of both methods may be required in some cases. Arrangements will be made at the outset to deal with the following subjects :• — (1.) Silviculture —(a) general (European) ; (b) tropical. (2.) Forest-management —including mensuration, valuation, and the preparation of working plans. Special attention will be paid to methods of laying out sample plots, measuring forest crops, and compiling results. (3.) Forest botany—including physiology and anatomy of trees, pathology (mycology), ecology, and systematic botany.
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(4.) Forest entomology. (5.) Forest-utilization —including the structure, properties, and uses of woods. (6.) Soils. (7.) Climatology. (8.) Forest economics and policy (this subject will not be developed fully during the first year). (9.) Forest law. (10.) Forest engineering, including surveying. It will be a special function of the Institute to arrange for practical tours of instruction in selected forests on the Continent of Europe. As regards forest engineering, it is recognized that this subject cannot be dealt with comprehensively in Great Britain, owing to the absence of logging operations on a large scale and under varied conditions. For this reason arrangements will be made, as far as possible, to study forest engineering practically in the forest regions of the Continent, or, in certain cases, in Canada. Courses of Study. 4. The academic year begins towards the middle of October, and is divided into three terms of eight weeks each, with three vacations intervening, as follows :— Michaelmas term—begins about middle of October. Christmas vacation —begins early part of December. Hilary term —begins after middle of January. Easter vacation —begins about middle of March. Trinity term —begins end of April. Long vacation—begins latter part of June. A course of training at the Institute will normally extend over one academic year, beginning October. It is recognized, however, that in certain cases officers deputed for courses of instruction may be unable to join in October, and may not be able to spare a whole year. In such cases the time of joining and the period of study should be determined, as far as possible, by the nature of the work to be done. The courses of training will be sufficiently elastic to provide for the needs of individual students. If the student is to work independently, without following regular courses of lectures, he can to a large extent choose his own time. But if he intends to follow regular courses of lectures and practical work the following scheme, showing approximately the normal distribution of work throughout the year, will serve as a guide : — Michaelmas Term, — Silviculture —characters and requirements of forest-trees of western Europe. Forest mensuration—measurement of trees and timber. Forest botany —pathology (mycology). Forest entomology—lectures and laboratory. Economics of forestry, including the use of statistical methods. Climatology. Forest-utilization —chiefly felling and conversion, and minor products. Surveying. Christmas Vacation, — No regular tours. Hilary Tern, — Silviculture—sowing, planting, and tending operations (theoretical and practical), natural regeneration, silvicultural systems (lectures in preparation for continental tours). Forest mensuration —measurement of sample plots, preparation of yield tables. Forest-valuation. Structure and properties of wood. Forest entomology—lectures and laboratory. Forest-utilization. Forest economics, including the use of statistical methods. Forest law. Forest engineering (drawing and construction). Easter Vacation, — Tours in Continental forests. Afforestation work in Great Britain. Trinity Term, — Silviculture —(1.) Silvicultural systems (continued). Lectures in preparation for Continental tours. (2.) Tropical silviculture. Forest mensuration —measurement of sample plots, preparation of yield tables. Forest-management, including working plans (theory). Forest policy. Soils, including field-work. Forest botany —physiology of trees, systematic, ecology. Forest entomology —field-work. Forest engineering—drawing ; surveying (field-work, including road project). Long Vacation, — Tours in Continental forests. Preparation of forest working plans (field-work and compilation).
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Thus for overseas officers on leave wishing to make a special study of afforestation methods in Great Britain and of recent development in silvicultural systems on the Continent, a period from the middle of January to the middle of September will fully cover all necessary work, both theoretical and practical. If time is more limited and visits to Continental forests are alone contemplated, then these can be best arranged in the Easter or long vacations (middle of March to end of April, and July to September). Admission to Institute. 5. Students admitted to the Institute may be included under one or other of the following categories : — (a.) 'Students possessing a University degree in forestry, or a diploma or equivalent certificate of having satisfactorily completed an approved training in forestry, who have been selected as probationers for the higher branch of some Forest Service. (6.) Graduates with honours in science who desire to become specialists in some branch of science in its application to forestry. (c.) Forest officers deputed to attend courses. (d.) Students of approved qualifications not included in the first three categories who are admitted on the recommendation of overseas Governments (see Empire Forestry Conference, 1923, App. A. (para. 6 (b) )). (e.) Students with a University training in forestry who may wish to attend the Institute on their own account and at their own expense. Preference in the matter of admission will be given to students deputed by the Forestry Commission and to students deputed by the Colonial Office on behalf of the Forest Services of the non-self-governing colonies and protectorates, in view of the financial support arranged for by the Forestry Commissioners and the Colonial Office. Names of students proposing to attend the Institute in the academic year 1924-25 should be sent to the Director, Forestry Institute, Oxford, in time to reach him by the Ist September, 1924. At the same time information should be furnished regarding their previous training and, so far as possible, the subjects which they propose to study. Fees. 6. A fee of £75 per annum will be charged for instruction at the Institute. If the course of studies extends over less than one year, the fees charged will be £25 per term, and £1 per week for tours in the vacations. These fees will include all charges for instruction both at Oxford and on tour, as well as for the use of apparatus, materials, library, &c. ; they will not include living and travelling expenses. No fees will be chargeable by the Institute to students sent to the Institute by the Forestry Commission or the Colonial Office. Forestry Commission, 22 Grosvenor Gardens, London S.W. 1, April, 1924.
No. 16. New Zealand, Dominions No. 195. My Lord, — Downing Street, 28th April, 1924. I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, to be laid before your Ministers, copies of an extract from the proceedings of the Imperial Economic Conference containing the resolution adopted by the Conference on the subject of flag discrimination. 2. His Majesty's Government endorse this resolution. I have, &c., J. H. THOMAS. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. Viscount Jellicoe, G.C.8., 0.M., G.C.V.0., &c.
Enclosure. Economic Defence. Flag Discrimination. The Conference discussed this subject at their thirteenth meeting, held on Tuesday, the 23rd October, 1923. The following resolution was before the Conference : —• " In view of the vital importance to the British Empire of safeguarding its overseas carrying trade against all forms of discrimination by foreign countries, whether open or disguised, the representatives of the Governments of the Empire declare, — "1. That it is their established practice to make no discrimination between the flags of shipping using their ports, and that they have no intention of departing from this practice as regards countries which treat ocean-going shipping under the British flag on a footing of equality with their own national shipping.
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" 2. That in the event of danger arising in future to the overseas shipping of the Empire through an attempt by a foreign country to discriminate against the British flag the Governments of the Empire will consult together as to the best means.of meeting the situation." The Need for resisting Unfair Flag Discrimination. The Chairman, in introducing this resolution, said that their whole discussion on shipping communications had emphasized the vital importance to every part of the Empire of the mercantile marine, that essential factor in the complex of Empire trade. Any attack upon Imperial shipping was, in point of fact, an attack on the common interest of trade within the Empire. British shipping had always taken the attitude that given a fair field they were prepared to face any competition, but that shipping should be subjected to unfair discrimination was not reasonable. In the past there had been numerous attempts at such discrimination, and the Chairman cited examples. He pointed out that there was undoubtedly to-day a serious risk in a number of countries of discrimination against shipping, which, though general in character, was bound to hit British shipping hardest every time. The purpose of the resolution before the Conference was to ensure that when any such attack should be made there should be consultation between the units of the Empire, of course, leaving it to each Government to decide what actual steps it should take. After a brief discussion the resolution was unanimously adopted.
No. 17. New Zealand, Dominions No. 218. My Lord,— Downing Street, 12th May, 1924. I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, to be laid before your Ministers, copies of resolutions adopted by the Imperial Economic Conference regarding the Imperial Shipping Committee. These resolutions are set out on pages 331-332 of the Record of Proceedings of the Conference (Cmd. 2009.) 2. His Majesty's Government fully appreciate the value of the work of the Imperial Shipping Committee, and readily endorse these resolutions. I have, &c., J. H. THOMAS. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. Viscount Jellicoe, G.C.B , 0.M., G.C.V.0., &c.
Enclosure. Resolutions adopted. On the motion of Mr. Massey, seconded by Mr. Bruce, the following resolution was agreed to : — " That this Imperial Economic Conference desires to convey to Sir Halford Mackinder, as Chairman of the Imperial Shipping Committee, and to the members of that Committee an expression of its appreciation of the very excellent work which they have done during the period of the Committee's existence, both in the interests of the commercial and producing communities and of British citizens generally." At their thirteenth meeting, held on the 23rd October, 1923, the Conference adopted the following resolution " That this Imperial Economic Conference is of opinion,— "1. That the work accomplished by the Imperial Shipping Committee is convincing proof of the wisdom of its establishment, and that it is of the highest importance to the Empire that this work should continue. " 2. That it is therefore desirable to maintain the Committee on its present basis, deriving authority from, and responsible to, the Governments represented in the Imperial Conference."
No. 18. New Zealand, No. 94. My Lord, — Downing Street, 28th May, 1924. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Your Excellency's despatch, No. 70, of the sth April, submitting, for the acceptance of His Majesty the King, a copy of Volume IV of " The New Zealand History of the War." 2. His Majesty has had much pleasure in placing this volume with the preceding ones, and I have it in command to convey an expression of his best thanks for the gift. I have, &c., J. H. THOMAS. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. Viscount Jellicoe, G.C.8., 0.M., G.C.V.0., &c.
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No. 19. New Zealand, No. 115. My Lord, — Downing Street, 23rd June, 1924. I have the honour to request Your Excellency to invite the attention of your Ministers to the report of the Committee appointed by the Imperial Economic Conference to consider the subject of oversea settlement within the Empire, copies of which are enclosed in my despatch, Dominions No. 280, of even date. 2. I enclose also a memorandum furnished by the Oversea Settlement Committee, which deals with certain recommendations and suggestions made by the Conference. I should be glad to receive in due course information as to the action which your Ministers have taken or propose to take with regard to these recommendations, and I take this opportunity of assuring them that His Majesty's Government are prepared to co-operate with the Government of New Zealand, within the terms of the Empire Settlement Act, in any scheme which may be necessary to give effect to these recommendations. I have, &c., J. IT. THOMAS. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. Viscount Jellicoe, G.C.8., 0.M., G.C.V.0., &c.
Enclosure. Memorandum by the Oversea Settlement Committee dealing with the Report of the Committee on Oversea Settlement of Imperial Economic Conference, 1923. Section 11, B. Nomination. It was suggested by the Conference that arrangements should be made for the collective nomination of persons from this country by Churches, Rotary Clubs, and other similar associations. Certain nominations have already been effected in New Zealand on these lines, and it is suggested that every facility should be given for the inauguration of a definite scheme. Section 11, 0. Public- and Secondary-school Boys. Since the termination of the Conference arrangements have been made for a limited number of public- and secondary-school boys to be taken to New Zealand under the supervision of the Dominion Government and the New Zealand Farmers' Union, and placed with approved farmers for training in agriculture with a view to their subsequent settlement on the land. £The question of providing suitable openings overseas for boys of this type is one which is engaging the careful consideration of the Oversea Settlement Committee. They welcome the arrangements which have already been made, and will be glad to co-operate to the fullest possible extent in encouraging the settlement of public- and secondary-school boys in New Zealand. Section 11, H. Women and Girls. The New Zealand representative agreed that every family proceeding under nomination to New Zealand should be authorized, if they so desire, and subject to the concurrence of the nominator, to include one additional woman, either relative or friend, amongst their number. It is suggested that it would be desirable to take steps to bring this matter specially to the notice of both nominators and nominees so that the arrangements may become widely known and may be taken advantage of in all suitable cases. Section 111. Land-settlement, paragraph B. It is hoped that, so soon as circumstances permit, the New Zealand Government will consider the question of further co-operation under the terms of the Empire Settlement Act.
No. 20. New Zealand, No. 126. My Lord, — Downing Street, 9th July, 1924. I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, to be laid before your Ministers, the accompanying copies of the report of the British Oversea Settlement Delegation to New Zealand. In my opinion, the report reflects credit upon the Delegation, and is likely to be of the greatest interest and value to all those who desire to obtain an adequate appreciation of existing conditions and prospects in the Dominion. I should be glad to receive any observations which your Ministers may wish to offer on the report,
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I desire to take this opportunity of expressing my appreciation of the courtesy and consideration which the Delegation met with throughout their tour, and of the generous assistance which was rendered to them by your Government in carrying out their mission. I have, &c., J. H. THOMAS. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. Viscount Jellicoe, G.C.8., 0.M., G.C.V.0., &c.
No. 21. New Zealand, No. 133. My Lord, — Downing Street, 16th July, 1924. I have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform your Ministers that the Minister of Health has in contemplation the issue of new regulations with respect to the importation of food into England and Wales. The effect of the proposed new regulations will be to simplify and to consolidate into one series the provisions of the three series at present in force—namely, the Public Health (First Series : Unsound Food) Regulations, 1908 ; the Public Health (Foreign Meat) Regulations, 1908 ; and the Public Health (Foreign Meat) Amending Regulations, 1909 —and at the same time to provide for certain amendments which experience has proved to be desirable. 2. The principal amendment is the extension of the classes of meat for which an " Official Certificate " is required by the addition of the item " the rendered fat of cattle or pigs.' The special circumstance which has given rise to this proposal is a discovery which was made by the Manchester Port Sanitary Authority that fat which had been exported from the United States of America as inedible fat had been refined in the Netherlands and imported into this country for sale as lard. 3. The existing regulations prohibit the importation of certain parts of a pig unless accompanied by an " Official Certificate " of the country of origin which is recognized by the Minister of Health for this purpose, and the Official Certificates of New Zealand are at present so recognized. A copy of a circular on the subject issued by the Local Government Board on the 26th January, 1909, is enclosed for convenience of reference. 4. The Minister of Health is prepared to accept the certificates of New Zealand as admissible when applied to lard and other edible fats, provided that he is assured that the certificate will be given by the same authority and subject to the same general conditions as the certificates which have already been recognized. 5. I shall be glad to learn whether the New Zealand Government can give the assurance required. 6. Copies of the regulations will be forwarded when complete. I have, &c., J. H. THOMAS. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. Viscount Jellicoe, G.C.8., 0.M., G.C.V.0., &c.
No. 22. New Zealand, Dominions No. 332. My Lord, — Downing Street, 23rd July, 1924. I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, to be laid before your Ministers, the accompanying translation of a note from the Spanish Ambassador, conveying an invitation to His Majesty's Government to be represented at the Seventh International Congress on Oil-production to be held at Seville in November. 2. It is understood that the invitation of the Spanish Government is intended to include the self-governing Dominions and colonies, and 1 should be glad to learn what reply your Ministers would wish to be returned to the invitation on behalf of New Zealand. I have, &c., J. H. THOMAS. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. Viscount Jellicoe, G.C.8., 0.M., G.C.V.0., &c.
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Enclosure. Sir, — Spanish Embassy, London, 24th June, 1924. In compliance with the instructions received from my Government, I have the honour to inform Your Excellency that it has been decided that the Seventh International Congress on Oil-pro-duction will be held at Seville in the month of November next. It being the desire of my august Sovereign that all the countries that are producers or consumers of oil should be represented at this Congress, 1 have the pleasure, on His Majesty's behalf, to invite the British Government to take part officially in the said Congress should they desire to do so, and to appoint the delegates who will repre&ent them, which delegates will be able to make arrangements with the Organizing Commission and the Permanent Committees at Madrid and Seville. The Spanish Government would be specially pleased if Mr. Noel Buxton, M.P., Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, were included in the List of Presidents of the Committee of Honour of the said Congress. I have, &c., Alfonso Merry del Val. The Right Hon. James Ramsay Mac Donald, M.P., &c.
No. 23. New Zealand, No. 139. My Lord, — Downing Street, 23rd July, 1924. I have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform your Ministers that I am anxious to obtain information regarding the system which is understood to be in force in New Zealand for the dental treatment of school-children. 2. I should be very grateful if your Ministers could furnish me with particulars of this scheme, including information as to the extent to which dental nurses are employed under it, the training which they are required to undergo, and the nature of the work which they perform. I have, &c., J. H. THOMAS. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. Viscount Jellicoe, G.C.8., 0.M., G.C.V.0., &c.
No. 24. New Zealand, Dominions No. 342. My Lord, — Downing Street, 26th July, 1924. With reference to my despatch, Dominions No. 119, of the 12th March, I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, the accompanying copies of a parliamentary paper (Cmd. 2190), indicating the action proposed by His Majesty's Government in respect of the recommendation adopted by the International Labour Conference at its fifth session in October last, concerning the general principles for the organization of systems of inspection to secure the enforcement of the laws and regulations for the protection of the workers. I have, &c., J. H. THOMAS. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. Viscount Jellicoe, G.C.8., 0.M., G.C.V.0., &c.
Enclosure. League of Nations. —International Labour Conference. There were presented to Parliament in Cmd. 2051 the French and English texts of the recommendation, adopted by the International Labour Conference at its fifth session in October, 1923, " concerning the general principles for the organization of systems of inspection to secure the enforcement of the laws and regulations for the protection of the workers." At the expiration of a period of twenty-one days from the date on which the present paper is laid on the table of both Houses of Parliament His Majesty's Government propose, in accordance with the provisions of Article 405 of the Treaty of Versailles, to inform the Secretary-General of the League of Nations that they are prepared to accept the recommendation in respect of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The principles laid down in the recommendation are in accordance generally with the principles on which factory inspection is organized in the United Kingdom, and no new legislation will be entailed by its acceptanoe. July, 1924.
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No. 25. New Zealand, Dominions No. 495. My Lord,— Downing Street, 21st October, 1924. With reference to my despatch, Dominions No. 334, of the 23rd July on the subject of the Imperial Institute, I have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform your Ministers that His Majesty's Government regret that the exigencies of parliamentary business during the summer session did not permit the passage of the Imperial Institute Bill, of which copies were enclosed in my despatch under reference, through the House of Commons, and no further opportunity occurred owing to the dissolution of Parliament. 2. It is hoped to reintroduce the Bill in the next Parliament at the first opportunity, and every effort will be made to bring the scheme of reorganization into force as early as possible next year. I have, &c., J. H. THOMAS. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. Viscount Jellicoe, G.C.8., 0.M., G.C.V.0., &c.
No. 20. New Zealand, Dominions No. 499. My Lord, — Downing Street, 22nd October, 1924. With reference to my despatch, Dominions No. 352, of the 31st July, I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, the accompanying copies of a parliamentary paper (Cmd. 2269), containing a despatch to His Majesty's High Commissioner for Egypt and the Sudan respecting the position of His Majesty's Government in regard to Egypt and the Sudan. I have, &c., J. H. THOMAS. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. Viscount Jellicoe, G.C.8., 0.M., G.C.V.0., &c.
Enclosure. Despatch to His Majesty's High Commissioner for Egypt and the Sudan respecting the Position of His Majesty's Government in regard to Egypt and the Sudan. My Lord, — Foreign Office, 7th October, 1924. In the course of my conversations with the Egyptian Prime Minister His Excellency explained to me the modifications in the status quo in Egypt on which he felt bound to insist. If I have correctly understood him they were as follows : — (a.) The withdrawal of all British forces from Egyptian territory. (6.) The withdrawal of the financial and judicial Advisers. (c.) The disappearance of all British control over the Egyptian Government, notably in connection with foreign relations, which Zaghlul Pasha claimed were hampered by the notification of His Majesty's Government to foreign Powers on the 15th March, 1922, that they would regard as an unfriendly act any attempt at interference in the affairs of Egypt by another Power. (d.) The abandonment by His Majesty s Government of their claim to protect foreigners and minorities in Egypt. (c.) The abandonment by His Majesty's Government of their claim to share in any way in protecting the Suez Canal. As regards the Sudan, I drew attention to certain, statements which His Excellency had made as President of the Council of Ministers before the Egyptian Parliament during the course of the summer.
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On the 17th May, according to my information, Zaghlul Pasha stated that the fact that a foreign officcr was Commander-in-Chief of the Egyptian Army and the retention in that army of British officers were inconsistent with the dignity of independent Egypt. The expression of such sentiments in an official pronouncement by the responsible head of the Egyptian Government has obviously placed not only Sir Lee Stack as Sirdar, but all British officers attached to the Egyptian Army, in a difficult position. I also had in mind that, in June, Zaghlul Pasha was reported to have claimed for Egypt complete rights of ownership over the Sudan and characterized the British Government as usurpers. His Excellency observed that in making the above statements he was merely voicing the opinion not only of the Egyptian Parliament, but of the Egyptian nation, and I gathered that he still adhered to that position. Such statements, however, must inevitably have affected the minds of Egyptians employed in the Sudan, and of the Sudanese personnel of the Egyptian Army. They have, indeed, made it appear that loyalty to the Egyptian Government is something different from and inconsistent with loyalty to the existing administration of the Sudan. As a result, not only has there been an entire change in the spirit of Anglo-Egyptian co-operation which has in the past prevailed in the Sudan, but also Egyptian subjects serving under the Sudan Government have been encouraged to regard themselves as propagandists of the Egyptian Government's views, with results that if persisted in, in the absence of any agreement, would render their presence in the Sudan under the existing regime a source of danger to public order. I promised in the course of our first conversation to be perfectly frank with His Excellency. Then and subsequently I left him under no illusion as to the position which His Majesty's Government are compelled to take up in regard to Egypt and the Sudan. Your Lordship will recall that when His Majesty's Government withdrew the British protectorate over Egypt in 1922, they reserved certain matters for eventual settlement by agreement. Though I have by no means abandoned hope that on further consideration the basis of an agreement acceptable to both countries can be found, the attitude adopted by Zaghlul Pasha has rendered such agreement impossible for the present. I raised the question of the canal straight away because its security is of vital interest to us both in peace and in war. It is no less true to-day than in 1922 that the security of the communications of the British Empire in. Egypt remain a vital British interest, and that absolute certainty that the Suez Canal will remain open in peace as well as in war for the free passage of British ships is the foundation on which the entire defensive strategy of the British Empire rests. The 1888 Convention for the free navigation of the canal was an instrument devised to secure that object. Ito ineffectiveness for this purpose was demonstrated in 1914, when Great Britain herself had to take steps to ensure that the canal would remain open. No British Government in the light of that experience can divest itself wholly, even in favour of an ally, of its interest in guarding such a vital link in British communications. Such a security must be a feature of any agreement come to between our two Governments, and I see no reason why accommodation is impossible, given good will. The effective co-operation of Great Britain and Egypt in protecting those communications might in my view have been ensured by the conclusion of a treaty of close alliance. The presence of a British force in Egypt provided for by such a treaty freely entered into by both parties on an equal footing would in no way be incompatible with Egyptian independence, whilst it would be an indication of the specially close and intimate relations between the two countries and their determination to co-operate in a matter of vital concern to both. It is not the wish of His Majesty's Government that this force should in any way interfere with the functions of the Egyptian Government or encroach upon Egyptian sovereignty, and I emphatically said so. It is not the intention of His Majesty's Government t<? assume any responsibility for the actions or conduct of the Egyptian Government or to attempt to control or direct the policy which that Government may see fit to adopt. So far as my conversations with Zaghlul Pasha turned on the question of the Sudan, they have only served to show his persistence in the attitude disclosed in his previous public utterances. I must adhere to the statements I made on the subject in the House of Commons. About that neither in Egypt nor in the Sudan should there be any doubt. If there is, it will only lead to trouble. In the meantime the duty of preserving order in the Sudan rests in fact upon His Majesty's Government, and they will take every step necessary for this purpose. Since going there, they have contracted heavy moral obligations by the creation of a good system of administration ; they cannot allow that to be destroyed; they regard their responsibilities as a trust for the Sudan people; there can be no question of their abandoning the Sudan until their work is done. His Majesty's Government have no desire to disturb existing arrangements, but they must point out how intolerable is a status quo which enables both military and civil officers and officials to conspire against civil order, and unless the status quo is accepted and loyally worked until such time as a new arrangement may be reached the Sudan Government would fail in its duty were it to allow such conditions to continue. His Majesty's Government have never failed to recognize that Egypt has certain material interests in the Sudan which must be guaranteed and safeguarded, these being chiefly concerned with her share of the Nile water and the satisfaction of any financial claims which she may have against the Sudan Government. His Majesty's Government have always been prepared to secure these interests in a way satisfactory to Egypt. I have in the preceding paragraphs defined the position which His Majesty's Government are compelled to take up in regard to Egypt and the Sudan and which I conceive it to be my duty to conserve unimpaired. I am, &c., J. Ramsay Mac Donald.
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No. 27. New Zealand Dominions Treaty, No. 37. My Lord, — Downing Street, 24th October, 1924. With reference to my despatch, No. 90, of the 24th May, I have the honour to state that, as Your Excellency's Ministers will have observed from the letter from the Secretary-General of the League of Nations (C.L. 127) of the 12th September, the Conventions and Statutes on the International Regime of Railways and the International Regime of Maritime Ports (with the Protocols of Signature) have been ratified by His Majesty the King on behalf of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. 2. Similar action is now contemplated as regards the Conventions relating to the transmission in transit of electric power and to the development of hydraulic power affecting more than one State, and the Protocols of Signature. I have, &c., J. H. THOMAS. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. Viscount Jellicoe, G.C.8., 0.M., G.C.V.0., &c.
No. 28. New Zealand,* No." 199. My Lord,— Downing Street, 24th October, 1924. With reference to my despatch of even date, Dominions Treaty No. 37, I have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform your Ministers that, as the Conventions and Statutes on the International Regime of Railways and the International Regime of Maritime Ports (with the Protocols of Signature) have now been signed on behalf of New Zealand and Western Samoa by the High Commissioner, steps are being taken for the preparation of a special instrument of ratification of these two Conventions, &c., on behalf of New Zealand and Western Samoa. 2. In the case of the Conventions relating to the transmission in transit of electric power and to the development of hydraulic power affecting more than one State, which also have been signed by the High Commissioner with the Protocols of Signature, it is proposed that the instrument of ratification on behalf of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, which is about to be prepared, should also include ratification on behalf of New Zealand and Western Samoa. I have, &c., J. H. THOMAS Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. Viscount Jellicoe, G.C.8., 0.M., G.C.Y.0., &c.
No. 29. New Zealand, Dominions No. 511. My Lord, — Downing Street, 27th October, 1924. With reference to my predecessor's despatch, Dominions No. 315, of the 17th August, 1923, and connected correspondence, I have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform your Ministers that I am informed by the Secretary of the Imperial Botanical Conference that the following resolutions were passed by the Conference : —- 1. " That this Conference, fully aware of the necessity for co-ordination of botanical work m all parts of the Empire, and recognizing that both investigators and undergraduates will benefit by contact with fresh points of view, urges that every effort be made to encourage the exchange both of members of the staff and of research students between the universities and research institutions of the Empire, and recommends the establishment of a permanent committee for this purpose,"
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2. " That this Conference desires to call the attention of overseas Governments to the great lack of scientific literature in some of their scientific institutions, and to urge them to remedy this defect where it exists." 3. " That this Conference strongly urges the need for further facilities for research in forest pathology in all its aspects, and for closer co-operation between forest pathologists, executive forest officers, and other silviculturists." I have, &c., J. H. THOMAS. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. Viscount Jellicoe, G.C.8., 0.M., G.C.V.0., &c.
No. 30. New Zealand, No. 202. My Lord, — Downing Street, 29th October, 1924. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Your Excellency's despatch, No. 185, of the sth September, and to transmit to you, for the information of your Ministers, the accompanying copy of a despatch to the Belgian Ambassador regarding the withdrawal of New Zealand from the International Customs Tariff Bureau as from the 31st March, 1926. I have, &c., J. H. THOMAS. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. Viscount Jellicoe, G.C.8., 0.M., G.C.V.0., &c.
Enclosure. Your Excellency,— Foreign Office', S.W. 1, 23rd October, 1924. I have the honour to inform Your Excellency that the Government of New Zealand have decided that as little use is made in New Zealand of the publications of the International Customs Tariff Bureau, the benefits derived by New Zealand from membership do not warrant the expenditure incurred. For this reason the Government of New Zealand desire to notify that they will withdraw from the International Union for the Publication of Customs Tariffs as from the 31st March, 1926. I have, &c., His Excellency Baron Moncheur, G.C.Y.0., &c. R. H. Campbell,
No. 31. New Zealand, No. 204. My Lord, — Downing Street, 29th October, 1924. With reference to Your Excellency's telegram of the 31st July, I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Ministers, the accompanying copy of a summary of the Proceedings of the Geodetic and Geophysical Congress held in Madrid during October, which has been drawn up by the General Secretary of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics. I have, &c., J. H. THOMAS. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. Viscount Jellicoe, G.C.8., 0.M., G.C.V.0., &c.
Enclosure. The Second Conference of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics held its final meeting yesterday to adopt the reports of the various sections, and to decide the place of the next meeting. Of the twenty-seven countries which belong to the Union twenty-five were represented by delegates, of whom one hundred and thirty were present. Reports on the work which had been done during the past three years were received and discussed in each of the sections, geodesy, seismology, meteorology, terrestrial magnetism, oceanography, volcanology, and hydrology, and many special communications were read on these subjects.
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In geodesy a long and valuable discussion took place on the figure of the earth, a subject closely concerned with the survey and representation of large areas. Another on the measurement of gravity at sea also aroused much interest. The section also expressed the hope that the measurement of an arc of meridian from the Arctic Ocean to the Mediterranean should be undertaken, and appointed a committee to consider the matter ; it also urged the importance of geodetic measurements being undertaken in the Southern Hemisphere, and suggested that the Australian Continent was especially suitable for these. In seismology among the reports received was one of special interest from Japan, which dealt with the recent great earthquake. The section devoted much time to the consideration of the record and study of earthquakes, and decided the seismological summary now being produced at Oxford should be continued, as well as the memoires which are being issued by the bureau at Strasbourg, so as to provide regular and prompt publication and discussion of earthquake data. In meteorology arrangements were made for an extended and intensive study of the upper air and the regions of it which are beyond the reach of ballons sondes. Among other subjects of importance, research in solar radiation is also to be undertaken. The section of terrestrial magnetism devoted much time to the discussion of magnetic records and their interpretation, and to the intercomparison of instruments. Proposals for the extension of magnetic surveys in several areas were strongly urged by the representatives present. In the section oceanography, where Professor Odon de Buen was elected President in the place of the late Prince of Monaco, much work was done on subjects related to the great oceans, and, in conjunction with the sections of geodesy and meteorology, on tidal phenomena and the meteorology of ocean areas. Acoustical sounding methods were also discussed. Arrangements were planned to co-ordinate the work of the section with that of the International Association for the Investigation of the Sea which has its headquarters at Copenhagen and to avoid overlapping. In volcanologv the establishment of its bureau at Naples was approved, and the publication of a quarterly bulletin for the subject was agreed upon. The new section of hydrology, which is specially concerned with the investigation of water-flow, the measurement of river-discharge, and allied problems, had before it a valuable report on the gauging of the Nile, while others on the methods and apparatus in use in various countries were discussed. It was decided to form a subsection to deal with the allied phenomena of glaciers. The invitation of the Czecho-Slovakian Republic to hold the Third Conference of the Union at Prague in September, 1927, was accepted.
No. 32. New Zealand, Dominions No. 525. My Lord, — Downing Street, 6th November, 1924. With reference to my despatch, Dominions No. 486, of the 7th October, I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, copies of an extract from the London Gazette of the 31st October containing a notice regarding the constitution of the Irish Boundary Commission. I have, &c., J. H. THOMAS. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. Viscount Jellicoe, G.C.8., 0.M., G.C.V.0., &c.
Enclosure. Irish Boundary Commission. 10 Downing Street, 31st October, 1924. Consequent upon the passing into law of the Treaty (Confirmation of Supplemental Agreement) Act, to which the King's assent was signified by the Governor-General of the Irish Free State on the 25th October, His Majesty's Government have, in virtue of the Irish Free State (Confirmation of Agreement) Act, 1924, appointed Joseph R. Fisher, Esq., to be the Commissioner deemed to be a Commissioner appointed by the Government of Northern Ireland for the purposes of Article XII of the Articles of Agreement for a Treaty between Great Britain and Ireland signed on the 6th December, 1921. The Commission contemplated by that article is accordingly constituted as follows : The Honourable Mr. Justice Feetham, C.M.G. (Chairman), Professor Eoin McNeill, Joseph R. Fisher, Esq.
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No. 33. New Zealand, No. 209. My Lord, — Downing Street, 6th November, 1924. With reference to the Duke of Devonshire's despatch, No. 153, of the 19th July, 1923, and to subsequent correspondence regarding the holding of an Imperial Mycological Conference in this country, I have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform your Ministers that the Conference was duly held in London in July last. A report of the Conference has been submitted to me by the Chairman, Lord Buxton, and printed copies are enclosed for the information of your Ministers. 2. It will be observed from the letter addressed to me by the Chairman, which is printed on the first page of the report, that the Conference was widely representative and was in every way a success. It is a matter of great satisfaction to me that the opportunities provided by the Conference not only for the profitable discussion of scientific problems, but also for the establishment of personal contact between mycologists in the various parts of the Empire, have been so highly appreciated and may be expected to lead to such valuable results, and I am particularly gratified to learn of the tributes which were paid on all sides to the work of the Imperial Bureau of Mycology. I hope that it will be found practicable to hold similar conferences once in five years in future, as recommended in Resolution No. 5 of the Conference. 3. With regard to the other resolutions of the Conference, I enclose for your information a statement which has been forwarded to me by the Chairman embodying the views expressed by the Managing Committee of the Bureau at their last meeting. I do not propose in this despatch to elaborate the views of the Committee except with regard to Resolution No. 10, which raises the whole question of the finances of the Bureau, and on which the Chairman has addressed me at some length. In this connection I would invite attention to the Duke of Devonshire's despatch, No. 251, of the 7th December, 1923, in which it was intimated that the future requirements of the Bureau would form one of the principal subjects of discussion at the Conference. It was thought desirable to await the result of this discussion before requesting the oversea Governments to contribute towards the maintenance of the Bureau for a further period of years, and my predecessor therefore confined himself in the despatch to which I refer to requesting the continuance of your Government's contribution for the year 1924-25. In your telegram of 13th February, 1924, you expressed the concurrence of your Ministers in this procedure. 4. The scheme of expenditure showing the financial requirements of the Bureau for the next five years, which is printed in Appendix lie to the report, was, I understand, very carefully prepared by a special sub-committee of the Managing Committee, in collaboration with the finance sub-committee. It was subsequently approved in general by the Managing Committee for submission to the Imperial Mycological Conference. A sub-committee of the Conference, on which the delegates from the oversea Governments were fully represented, was formed to consider this scheme, and came to the unanimous conclusion, as expressed in paragraph 3 of Appendix lla to the report, that the scheme " was essential to the efficient maintenance of the Bureau for the next five years, that an income of £6,500 per annum will be required to enable the scheme to be adopted, and that appeal should be made to the Governments of the self-governing Dominions, India, the Sudan, and the colonies and protectorates to provide this sum." This recommendation was unanimously accepted by the Conference and recorded in the resolution to which I refer. I have outlined the various stages at which this scheme of expenditure has been subjected to close examination, not only by the Managing Committee of the Bureau but also by the Imperial Mycological Conference, in order to show that the scheme is not the outcome of hasty or ill-considered demands, and that in its preparation due regard was paid to the need on the one hand for economy and on the other hand for the efficient performance by the Bureau of the work which the various Governments entrust to it. The position is, in brief, that the operations and activities of the Bureau have, with the growing demands of Dominion
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and colonial Governments, increased during the last few years to such an extent that an expansion and reorganization of the staff can no longer be postponed. 5. The present income of the Bureau is approximately £5,000 per annum, and is wholly derived from annual contributions from Dominion and colonial Governments and the Governments of India and the Sudan. If, therefore, the scheme is to be adopted an additional income of £1,500 per annum will be required. 6. Abundant evidence is forthcoming that the work of the Bureau is proving of the greatest value in connection with the important problem how best to combat crop diseases successfully, and I am anxious that every effort should be made to establish the Bureau on a secure and permanent basis, and to obtain for it a stable income of the amount which both the Managing Committee and the Mycological Conference regard as essential to its efficient maintenance during the next five years. I have had no hesitation, therefore, in asking Governments which already contribute to the funds of the Bureau to continue their contributions, and in requesting contributions from others which have not hitherto been invited to participate in its upkeep. I hope by this means that the greater part of the additional income required will be obtained, the balance being raised by an increase in the amounts contributed by those Governments whose payments at present seem hardly commensurate with the help which the Bureau is in a position to supply. 7. The present contribution of your Government is £250 per annum. In view of the great interest which, I understand, is taken in mycological problems in New Zealand and of the bearing which the successful solution of such problems is likely to have on the general prosperity, I earnestly hope that, in common with the Governments of Canada, the Commonwealth of Australia, and the Union of South Africa (to which a similar request is being addressed), your Government will see its way to increase its contribution to £300 per annum, and to continue to contribute on the increased scale for the next five years. 8. I should be glad if you would be good enough to reply to this despatch by telegram, as it is desired that an assurance as to the future position of the Bureau should be conveyed to the Managing Committee at as early a date as possible. I have, &c., J. H. THOMAS. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. Viscount Jellicoe, G.C.8., 0.M., G.C.V.0., &c.
Enclosure. Statement. 1. The Committee expressed their unqualified agreement with Resolutions Nos. 1, 2, 3, 5, 9, 13, and 14. 2. With regard to Resolution No. 4, it was suggested that the facilities offered should not be confined to applicants in the Dominions and colonies which contributed to the Bureau. It was considered, however, that other applicants could reasonably be charged a small margin of profit, and with this reservation the resolution was adopted. 3. It was explained that effect had been given to Resolution No. 6, and attention was drawn to the paragraph on page 6 of the report, headed " The Interchange of Scientific Staffs." Before considering the matter further the Committee decided to await the issue of the report of the Imperial Botanical Conference. 4. It was agreed that consideration of Resolutions Nos. 7 and 12 should be deferred to the next meeting of the Committee. With regard to Resolution No. 8, it was decided to appoint a special sub-committee to consider and report to the Committee at the next meeting whether action could usefully be taken in the direction suggested in the resolution. 5. With regard to Resolution No. 10, the Committee again examined the scheme of expenditure, now printed in Appendix lie to the report. There seemed some doubt whether the provision made for the establishment of a Provident Fund was adequate, and it was decided that this item should be re-examined when the position with regard to the future income of the Bureau was clearer. With this reservation the Committee, after a close scrutiny of the proposed scheme, unanimously endorsed the view that its adoption was essential to the efficient maintenance of the Bureau during the next five years.
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No. 34. New Zealand, No. 210. My Lord, — Downing Street, 11th November, 1924. With reference to Your Excellency's despatch, No. 253, of the 11th September, 1923, I have the honour to request you to inform your Ministers that the Minister of Pensions has arranged for Mr. G. J. Gilbert, Principal Clerk in the Accounts Division of the Ministry, to visit certain Dominions and colonies for the purpose of conferring with the Audit authorities in regard to the local audit of payments made on behalf of the Ministry to pensioners resident in those Dominions and colonies. Opportunity will at the same time be taken to discuss with the appropriate authorities any matters of an executive nature arising out of the payments made by them on behalf of the Ministry. 2. Accordingly it is proposed that Mr. Gilbert should visit New Zealand about the end of March, 1925, and I should be glad to learn whether this visit would be acceptable to Ministers ; and, if so, whether the approximate date proposed is convenient. 3. I shall be glad to receive a telegraphic reply to this despatch. I have, &c., J. S. AMERY. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. Viscount Jellicoe, G.C.8., 0.M., G.C.V.0., &c.
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Bibliographic details
DESPATCHES FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES TO THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF NEW ZEALAND., Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1925 Session I, A-02
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17,982DESPATCHES FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES TO THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF NEW ZEALAND. Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1925 Session I, A-02
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